The Yucca Valley Planning Commission met in regular session last night, an approval for a hookah lounge and limits on home firearms businesses were discussed. Managing Editor Tami Roleff was there and files this report…
Most of the public comment during the Yucca Valley Planning Commission meeting last night about a proposed Middle Eastern restaurant and hookah lounge was positive, with people being excited about a new restaurant in town. A couple of people warned about the dangers of smoking and asked the Commission to prohibit the hookah lounge, but since there’s no ordinance against them, the commissioners said it was a land use issue and not a moral issue, and approved the conditional use permit unanimously. The commissioners brought up the same theme of land use issue during discussion about home-based firearms sales. Several commissioners explained they did not flip-flop when, at the previous meeting, they changed conditions for firearms sales from rural living zones to ½ acre residential lots, saying they were compromising. And last night, they compromised some more when they went back to their previous conditions of allowing firearms sales only in hillside reserve and rural living zoning districts, while permitting existing home-based firearms sales in residential zones to be grandfathered in. The vote was 4-1 with Commissioner Tim Humphreyville dissenting.

The Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce is accepting nominees for this year’s 2014 Pioneer Days Grand Marshal. The Grand Marshal honor is bestowed on those who dedicate themselves to the betterment of the community. Past Pioneer Days have recognized those who have rooted themselves, fostered kinships, and helped shape the history and future of Twentynine Palms. Contact the Twentynine Palms Chamber of Commerce today, to share nominee’s story. 2014 Pioneer Day’s Grand Marshal nominations should be submitted in writing and will be accepted until August 31. Email the Chamber at 29chamber@29chamber.org or stop by the office, on the highway, in downtown Twentynine Palms.

The madcap comedy, “The 39 Steps” opens Friday with a Gala opening night celebration sponsored by the Twentynine Palms Rotary Club. Reporter Taylor Thacker tells you how to get tickets…
The Twentynine Palms Rotary Club will be hosting the opening night of the hysterically madcap spy mystery, “The 39 Steps,” at Theatre 29 Friday, August 15. In “The 39 Steps”, Richard Hannay makes eyes at a mysterious woman at the theater, but returns alone to his London town home, where the woman turns up dead! With no more than that, Richard is cast into a headlong run for his life as he fights to clear himself of the murder. This show plays at breakneck speed, and it is played for laughs all the way. For the opening night, doors open at 6 p.m. with curtain at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 and include refreshments and the show. Proceeds from the Sponsored Opening Night Gala fundraiser will help support Twentynine Palms Rotary Club’s scholarships and projects. For more information or tickets to opening night, call 760-362-3642.

Theatre 29 announces auditions for the musical “Young Frankenstein” will be this Monday evening. The musical comedy utilizes an ensemble cast of 25 characters ranging in age from mid-20s through mid-50s. All parts are open and available and all actors are encouraged to audition. A wickedly inspired re-imagining of the Frankenstein legend based on Mel Brooks’ classic 1974 comedy film masterpiece, the story follows bright young Dr. Fronkensteen as he attempts to complete his grandfather’s masterwork and bring a corpse to life. The show includes such memorable tunes as “The Transylvania Mania,” “He Vas My Boyfriend” and the famous “Puttin’ On The Ritz.” Performances are at Theatre 29 October 3 through November 1. Auditions for “Young Frankenstein” are at Theatre 29 at 73637 Sullivan Road in Twentynine Palms Monday, August 18, at 6:00 p.m. Rehearsals start August 19. The Artistic Director is Gary Daigneault, Music Director is Bill Barrett. For vocals, those auditioning are asked to bring a back-up CD or mp3 file on a Smartphone or mp3 player (no accompanist will be available). Broadway tunes only (not from “Young Frankenstein”), no pop music, a cappella is discouraged. Readings will consist of cold sides from the script. For information about auditions for “Young Frankenstein” contact Gary Daigneault at 760-366-8471 or Z1077fm@gmail.com.

The Hi-Desert Water District Board will consider putting off the mail-in ballot for the sewer system assessment district tonight. Managing Editor Tami Roleff takes a closer look…
The Hi-Desert Water District Board of Directors special meeting held last Thursday is continued to another special meeting tonight. Among the items on tonight’s agenda, the Board will consider whether to postpone the ballot mailing for the wastewater project’s assessment vote. The Board will also hear an update on the sewer project and the state revolving fund loan. Following the meeting, the board will go into closed session for a performance evaluation of the general manager. The meeting will be held at 6:00 in District offices on Inca Trail and the highway in Yucca Valley.

Sky’s the Limit will host a star party Saturday, August 16. The star party will start at the Twentynine Palms observatory about 8:00 p.m. and end about 1 a.m. The summer Milky Way begins to appear overhead as darkness falls. A special telescope will allow observers to see the Veil Nebula, a supernova remnant of a star that exploded thousands of years ago. Bring binoculars, telescopes, water, snacks, chairs, and dress for unpredictable weather. For more information, call 760-367-7222. Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center is just north of the entrance to the Joshua Tree National Park at 9697 Utah Trail in Twentynine Palms.

The Twentynine Palms Library is having a kid’s craft this Saturday, August 16. Children of all ages are invited to drop by any time between 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. to create a shiny, embossed foil pendant. Design your very own foil pendant with foil, markers and sequins; add some yarn and wear your new pendant with pride. All supplies with be supplied by the Twentynine Palms Library and no reservations are required. For more information, please call the Twentynine Palms Library at 760-367-9519.

The Copper Mountain College Board will meet in both closed and regular session tomorrow. Reporter Taylor Thacker checks the agendas…
Copper Mountain College will have their regular meeting on Thursday, August 14, starting with a closed session at 1 p.m. During this session, the Board of Trustees will evaluate themselves and set goals for themselves and then do the same for the interim superintendent and president. Following this is the regular meeting, starting at 3 p.m. During this meeting, the trustees will discuss a Jeff Fourier Contract for Smart Board Technology Training, the academic tenure track contract, deactivated course outlines of record, and more. Both these meetings take place at Copper Mountain College at 6162 Rotary Way in Joshua Tree.

The Hospital Board met last night, starting with a closed session. The open meeting recognized the hospital’s tobacco free committee, and Breanna Ingels and Bobbie Bachman named as nursing scholarship winners. After a long consent agenda the board evaluated goals for CEO Robert Tyk and approved the remodeling of their old CT room to accommodate a new digital mammography machine already purchased.

Some of the items the Yucca Valley Airport District Board of Directors will discuss at their meeting Wednesday, August 13, are correspondence from the Local Agency Formation Commission, airport use and aircraft tie-down agreements, and the report about the TSA airport inspection. The meeting will start at 6:30 in the Mesquite Room of the Yucca Valley Community Center.